Inlet manifold for blood oxygenator apparatus

Abstract

A blood inlet manifold is provided for connection to a first end of a blood heat exchanger including a plurality of hollow conduits arranged in a bundle. A plurality of first ends of the conduits terminate adjacent the first end of the blood heat exchanger and a plurality of second ends of the conduits terminate adjacent a second end of the blood heat exchanger. The blood inlet manifold includes a blood inlet nozzle having an upstream segment and a downstream segment. The upstream segment is connectable to a tube for conveying blood. The blood inlet manifold further includes a generally conical wall member connected to the downstream segment of the blood inlet nozzle and connectable to the first end of the blood heat exchanger. The connection of the blood inlet manifold to the blood heat exchanger defines a chamber between the conical wall member and the first set of ends of the conduits. An interior of the downstream segment of the blood inlet nozzle opens into this chamber.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A blood inlet manifold for connection to a first end of a blood heat exchanger including a plurality of hollow conduits arranged in a bundle with a plurality of first ends terminating adjacent the first end of the blood heat exchanger and a plurality of second ends terminating adjacent a second end of the blood heat exchanger, and a blood outlet manifold, the blood inlet manifold comprising: a blood inlet nozzle having an upstream segment and a downstream segment extending at an angle of approximately 30 degrees relative to each other, the downstream segment having a generally oval flared outlet end, and the upstream segment being connectable to a tube for conveying blood; and   a generally conical wall member connected proximate a central axis thereof to the oval flared end of the downstream segment of the blood inlet nozzle and connectable to the first end of the blood heat exchanger to define a chamber between the conical wall member and the first set of ends of the conduits, an interior of the downstream segment of the blood inlet nozzle opening into the chamber.   
     
     
       2. A blood inlet manifold according to claim 1 wherein a surface of the conical wall member extends at an angle of approximately ten degrees relative to a plane substantially perpendicular to a vertical central axis of the inlet manifold coinciding with a vertical central axis of the blood heat exchanger. 
     
     
       3. A blood inlet manifold according to claim 1 wherein the upstream segment of the blood inlet nozzle has a generally tubular configuration. 
     
     
       4. A blood inlet manifold according to claim 1 wherein the downstream segment of the blood inlet nozzle has a cross-section which flares moving in a direction toward the conical wall member. 
     
     
       5. A blood inlet manifold according to claim 1 wherein a first central axis of the downstream segment of the blood inlet nozzle is substantially parallel to, but spaced from, a second central axis of the inlet manifold coinciding with a central axis of the blood heat exchanger. 
     
     
       6. A blood inlet manifold according to claim 1 wherein the upstream segment of the blood inlet nozzle has a barbed exterior surface. 
     
     
       7. A blood inlet manifold according to claim 1 wherein the downstream segment of the blood inlet nozzle has a first side with a straight side wall and a second side with a curved side wall. 
     
     
       8. A blood inlet manifold according to claim 1 wherein the conical wall member is formed with a circular lip for insertion into an annular recess formed in the first end of the blood heat exchanger. 
     
     
       9. A blood inlet manifold according to claim 1 wherein a surface of the conical wall member extends at an angle of approximately ten degrees relative to a plane perpendicular to a central axis of the blood heat exchanger. 
     
     
       10. A blood inlet manifold according to claim 1 wherein the downstream segment of the blood inlet nozzle flares outwardly moving in a direction toward the blood heat exchanger fiber bundle. 
     
     
       11. A blood inlet manifold according to claim 1 wherein the downstream segment of the blood inlet nozzle is connected off center relative to the conical wall member. 
     
     
       12. A blood inlet manifold according to claim 1 wherein the blood inlet nozzle and conical wall member are configured and dimensioned to permit a blood flow rate of approximately five to seven liters per minute while minimizing shear forces and turbulence that would otherwise traumatize a significant number of blood cells and platelets in the blood. 
     
     
       13. A blood inlet manifold according to claim 1 wherein a diameter of the conical wall member is approximately seven times an internal diameter of the blood supply tube connected to the upstream segment of the blood inlet nozzle. 
     
     
       14. A blood inlet manifold according to claim 1 wherein a diameter of the fiber bundle is approximately two and one-half inches and a height of the blood inlet manifold is approximately one and five-eighths inches. 
     
     
       15. A blood inlet manifold according to claim 14 wherein an internal diameter of the blood supply tube is approximately 0.375 inches. 
     
     
       16. A blood inlet manifold for connection to a lower end of a generally cylindrical blood heat exchanger including a plurality of hollow conduits arranged in a bundle with a plurality of lower ends terminating adjacent the first end of the blood heat exchanger and a plurality of upper ends terminating adjacent an upper end of the blood heat exchanger, and a blood outlet manifold, the blood inlet manifold comprising: a blood inlet nozzle having a lower generally tubular upstream segment and an upper flared downstream segment having a generally oval outlet end, the upstream and downstream segments of the blood inlet nozzle extending at an angle of approximately 30 degrees relative to each other and the upstream segment being connectable to a tube for conveying blood;   a generally conical wall member connected to the oval outlet end of the downstream segment of the blood inlet nozzle and connectable to the lower end of the blood heat exchanger to define a chamber between the conical wall member and the lower ends of the conduits, an interior of the downstream segment of the blood inlet nozzle opening into the chamber; and   wherein a first central axis of the downstream segment of the blood inlet nozzle is substantially parallel to, but spaced from, a second central axis of the conical wall member coinciding with a central axis of the blood heat exchanger.